NEW YORK — Fox analyst Tim McCarver will miss the first two games of the AL Championship series because of a medical procedure and will be replaced by former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

The network said Wednesday that McCarver would have a "minor heart-related procedure" later this week. He's expected to rejoin announcer Joe Buck for Game 3 next Tuesday.

The Red Sox announced last Friday that it was not exercising Francona's contract option after eight seasons that included two world championships, including the 2004 title to end an 86-year drought.

In a publicity stunt, the Laconia Muskrats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League said they faxed a job offer to Francona's agent immediately last week, but haven't heard back.

Muskrats owner and general manager Noah Crane says he's included some unique benefits in the $6,000 offer, including a parking spot; 25 percent off at a burrito restaurant; a free gym membership; and 25 tokens to an area arcade.

The New England Collegiate Baseball League has 12 teams, including the Holyoke, Mass., Blue Sox. The Muskrats finished the regular season 18-24 before advancing to the championships, where they lost to the Keene Swamp Bats.